Eighth to william mcelhiney



Patented Sept. 6, 1898.

W. M. FRlSBiE.

COMPRESSED AIR BURGLAR ALARM,

(Application filed June 12, 1897.)

2 Sheets-8heet I.

(No Model.)

Tu: vmmus PETERS co. PflOTOLIYNQ, wnsmumon, n n,

Patented Sept. 6, I898.

No. 6l0,482.

, w. m. FRISBIE. CUMPRESSEDAIR BURGLAR ALARM.

(Application filed June l2. 1897.)

2 Sheetr-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

mm 293mg 1 meme/a 52 abhor/mu m: "cums PETERS co, PHOYO-LITND., msmncmu. o, c.

UNITED STATES FIFFICE.

ATENT WARREN M. FRISBIE, OF NORTH BALTIMORE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- EIGHTH TO WILLIAM MOELHINEY, OF SAME PLACE.

COMPRESSED-AIR SPECIFICA'ILION forming part of Letters Patent No. 610,482, dated September 6, 1898.

Application filed June 12, 1897.

To all whom it Hwy concern:

Be it known that I, WARREN M. FRISBIE, of North Baltimore, in the county of WVood and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compressed-Air Burglar-Alarms and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in alarms, and has more particular relation to compressed-air burglar-alarms.

The invention is intended principally for use in prisons and jails, although the structure set forth may be apt-1y employed in connection with banks, storehouses, and private residences.

The invention consists in the combination, with a plurality of pipes extending over the portion of the premises to be guarded, of an air-compressor connected to said pipes to maintain a constant pressure therein and an alarm device connected to said compressor for sounding an alarm when the pressure in the pipes is relieved by the escape of the air.

The invention also consists of certain other novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, all of which will be hereinafter more particularly set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figurel represents a side elevation, partly in section, of the device embodying my invention applied to a prison-window. Fig. 2 represents an enlarged detail central vertical longitudinal section through my improved devices applied to a prison-door. Fig. 3 represents a central vertical transverse section through the same. Fig. 4 represents an enlarged detail top plan view of one of the globe-valves and protecting-case, and Fig. 5 represents an enlarged detail central vertical section through the operating-cylinder. Fig. 6 represents a detail horizontal section through a portion of the globe-valve-locking mechanism.

1 in thedrawings represents the air compressor or pump; 2, the operating-cylinder;

3 3, the electrical contacting devices; 4, the

Serial No. 640,407. (No model.)

a pivoted link 12, saidlever 9 being sup-v ported upon a standard 13, which is secured rigidly in the proper position by an inclined brace 14. The lower portion of the cylinder is provided with a pipe-nipple 15, to which is connected a flexible pipe 16. This pipe is in turn connected to a cook 17, mounted in the lower end of the operating-cylinder 2. This cylinder comprises a cylinder proper, 18, having a screw-cap 19 secured over its lower end and a cap 20 over' its upper end. The cap 19 is provided with an internal annular flange 21, to which the lower end of a rubber tube 22 is firmly cemented. "The upper end of this tube is in turn cemented to a cap-piece 23, whereby the tube is entirely closed. A screw-threaded pipe-nipple 24 is mounted in the cap 19 and is connected to the cook 17, so that the air passing through the pipe 14 will be discharged into the rubber tube22, and thus extend and raise the same. The said globe-valve, and 5 the door-pipe-coupling cap 20 is provided with a suitablecentral" opening through which a piston-rod25 loosely passes. This rod is provided at itslower end with a piston 26, which is raised by means of the upward movement of the rubber tube 22 when the air is forced into the same. The said rod 25 is preferably squared and passes through a similar-shaped aperture in the cap 20, so as to be prevented from turning in said aperture. The upper end of the piston-rod is connected to a yoke 27, the two arms of which extend outward upon diametrically opposite sides of the cylinder 2 and are each provided with a weight 28. The electrical contacting devices 3 3 are mounted immediately below the weights 28, so as to be operated by the same when in their lowered position, and

I and thus sound the alarm.

In the application of my invention to prisonwindows I connect the said cylinder 2 with suitable hollow bars 29, placed over said windows by means of connecting-pipes 30. It will thus be observed that any injury or cutting of these pipes 29 will immediately permit the escape of the air, and thus allow the piston to descend under the influence of the weights 28, and thus sound the alarm. A suitable pressure-gage 31 is mounted upon the pipe 30, so that the degree of pressure within the pipe system may be readily observed and maintained by means of the pump or compressor. The joints of the pipes included in the system are wiped to render them airtight and prevent the escape of the smallest amount of air. 7

In the application of myinvention to prisondoors the piping is connected to the hollow bars of the door by means of the valve mechanism 5. This latter comprises a suitable casing 32, in which is mounted a sliding hollow coupling-pipe 33. This pipe passes loosely through an air-chamber 34 suitable stuffingboxes 35 being provided to prevent the escape of air from said chamber. The couplingpipe is provided within the chamber 34 with a plurality of air-escape openings 36 and a valve-operating wedge 37. Said couplingpipe is further formed with a shoulder 38, against which a spiral spring 39 bears, so as to normally hold the pipe forward. The outer end of said pipe is formed with an annular projecting flange 40, adapted to enter a suitable annular groove formed in the pipe,which terminates at the door-frame, so that when the door is closed the two ends of the pipes are coupled firmly together. Any suitable packing may be mounted in the bottom of the groove into which the flange 40 projects, so as to cause an air-tight joint at this point. The rear end of the pipe 33 is formed upon its under side with a plurality of rack-teeth 41, engaged by a toothed wheel 42, journaled in the casing 32 and provided with an exterior operating-handle 43, whereby it may be operated to move the sliding pipe 33. Said air-chamber 34 is provided with a tubular extension'44, in which is mounted a valve 45, having a hollow perforated valve-stem 46, which is surrounded by a coil spring 47. Said spring normally holds the valve away from its seat and permits the air to pass from the air-chamber 34 into the hollow bars of the door.

In order to hold the pipe 33 forward and prevent any tampering with the device by any unauthorized person, I provide a springpressed bolt 47, suitably mounted in apertured lugs in the casing 32. This bolt is surrounded by a coil-spring 48, which normally forces it forward, so that it will lie behind the shoulder 38 and prevent any movement of the sliding pipe. Said bolt 47 is formed with a projection 49, which is adapted to be engaged by a suitable key to pass through the keyhole 50, formed in the casing 32 in proximity to said projection 49. It will be observed from the foregoing description that when the door is to be opened thebolt 47 is shot, so as to release the sliding pipe 33. The handle 43 is then operated, which causes the sliding pipe to be withdrawn from the dooreasing into the door. As the pipe moves forward the wedge 37 engages the lower end of the valve-stein 46, thereby forcing the same upward and seating the valve, and thus preventing the escape of the air from the door. It will also be observed that the sliding pipe 33 acts as a bolt for the door, as it projects into the door-casing when it is forced from the casing 43.

In order to cutoff the air in the main pipe when the door is open, I provide said pipe with a globe-valve 4. This valve is of the usual construction, with the exception that the operating-stem 51 is protected by a cover- 52, suitably hinged to the valve-casing and provided with an angular slotted arm 53. This latter arm when the cover 52 is closed is adapted to enter an aperture 54, formed in an offset of the valve-casing, and be secured therein by a spring-pressed bolt 55. This bolt is provided with a projection 56, which is adapted to be engaged by a suitable key introduced through a suitable keyhole 57, so as to release the angular arm when it is desired to open the cover so as to gain access to the valve-operating stem 51.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that should any person attempt to cut through the pipes of either the door or window or any other portion of the building over which they are placed the compressed air would be permitted to make its escape, and thus allow the piston in the operating-cylinder to descend and the weights to strike the buttons and close the alarm-circuit.

I also contemplate applying my invention to ordinary doors and windows by extending the pipes into proximity to said doors and windows and providing the same with springpressed valves which are normally held closed by the door or window, but are permitted to open and allow the escape of the air by the opening ofsaid door or window.

It will also be observed that this system of alarm is positive proof against jail-breaking, as anytampering whatsoever with the pipes of the system will immediately result in the escape of the compressed air and the sounding of the prison alarm. From time to time,

as the pressure within the system decreases by the slight unavoidable leakage of the compressed air, the compressor is set in operation to restore the pressure in the system, which may be observed by means of the indicator.

I do not care to limit'myself to the peculiar construction of the air-compressor and the levers for operating the same, as any form of pump may be employed with equal facility.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with a plurality of pipes located in the portion of the premises to be protected, of an operating-cylinder, a piston, alarm device connected to the piston, an aircompressor and a movable valve mechanism for cutting off a portion of the pipe system comprising a hollow sliding pipe, having apertures in a portion thereof, an air-chamber through which said pipe loosely passes, said chamber being contained within a surrounding inclosure, a spring-actuated bolt for looking said pipe in position, and a valve adapted to be operated by the movement of said pipe, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a door provided with a plurality of pipes, of an air-chamber connected to said pipes, a valve governing the inlet into said pipes, a sliding pipe mounted on the door and adapted to operate said valve, said sliding pipe having the outerend thereof formed with an annular projecting flange adapted to enter a groove formed in the pipe which terminates at the door-frame, and means for supplying compressed air to said pipe, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a door provided with a plurality of pipes, of an air-chamber formed in said door, a sliding pipe having a series of apertures therein communicating with said air-chamber, a valve for controlling the outlet from said air-chamber to the pipes of the door and adapted to be operated by the sliding pipe, a transversely-positioned spring-actuated bolt for locking said sliding pipein its projected position, a lever for moving said pipe longitudinally to withdraw it within the circumference of the door, a key for releasing said transversely positioned bolt, and means for supplying compressed air to the sliding pipe, substantially as described.

4. The combination with a door provided with a plurality of pipes, of an air-compressor, a cylinder connected to the same, an alarm device connected to said cylinder, pipes connectingsaid cylinder with the pipes of the door, a sliding pipe having an outer annular flanged end and mounted on said door and adapted to act as a bolt to secure the door and also open and close communication between the pipes of said door and the main piping system, the said annular flange at the outer end of the sliding pipe being adapted to enter an annular frame in the pipe which terminates at the door-frame, whereby the meeting ends of the bolt and said pipe are coupled firmly together when the door is closed, substantially as described.

5. The combination of a door having a plurality of communicating hollow pipes, a sliding pipe mounted on said door and communicating with the aforesaid pipes, a valve be tween said sliding pipe and the first-mentioned pipe, a wedge mounted on said sliding pipe and adapted to operate said valve, a lock for securing said sliding pipe, a toothed wheel adapted to move said pipe longitudinally, and means for supplying compressed air to said sliding pipe, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WARREN M. FRISBIE. Witnesses:

JOHN J. FLEMING, S. P. HARRISON. 

